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Spells: Ranger Spells

Casting for the Hunt: Ranger
Spell Casting
By Ralsu
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One of the many benefits of being a ranger
is learning a small number of divine spells. Level 4 rangers...

Casting for the Hunt: Ranger
Spell Casting

By Ralsu

One of the many benefits of being a ranger
is learning a small number of divine spells. Level 4 rangers can
prepare 1 first level spell. At Level 6, they can prepare 2 first level
spells. By level 8 they can prepare a single second level spell as
well. At Level 10, they can equip two of each. This pattern varies from
that of the Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook. The pattern
suggests that Level 12 rangers will be able to prepare 2 each of first
and second level spells in addition to a single third level spell.

These spells are drawn from the cleric spell list and can give rangers
the extra protection they need in a tough combat. This guide is
intended to separate the wheat from the chaff and highlight both
general spell casting tips as well as important ranger spells. For
further spell casting tips, check out our general spells
guides.

Spell casting Ability

Rangers are divine spell casters. As such, the Wisdom score determines
what level of spell they can cast and how many spell points they
receive at each level. To be able to cast spells, a ranger must have a
Wisdom of 10 + spell level (so you need an 11 wisdom to cast 1st level
spells and a 12 wisdom to cast 2nd level spells). You gain bonus spell
points for having a Wisdom modifier of +1 or higher.

You can use magic items to increase your Wisdom in order to either gain
additional spell points or raise your Wisdom to a sufficient level to
gain access to spells. For example, if you have a 10 Wisdom, a magic
item that grants a +1 to your Wisdom would allow you to cast 1st level
spells, provided you have spell points.

Rangers who intend to use their spells should start with WIS no lower
than 10. A WIS of 13 is ideal because it grants access to Level 3
spells at character level 12. A 13 Wisdom also will net you a few bonus
spell points at Level 4, allowing you access to your spells at the
earliest opportunity. A WIS greater than 13 is wasted because the small
amount of bonus spell points aren’t worth lowering your other Ability
scores. Also, ranger spells are all targeted toward the party, so no
one will be trying to resist your spells.

Spell Point Conservation

Rangers must consciously conserve their spell points. Rangers will
generally have around 150 to 230 spell points at Level 12, depending
upon their WIS and the magic items they possess. Due to your limited
spell point pool, you’ll have to understand when to spend spell points
and when to conserve them. Try to avoid casting spells if a full spell
caster in the party can cast them for you. Also, save your spell points
for important fights or for buffing up yourself and the party.

General Tips

Ranger spells include a few heals, some remedies, and combat buffs. You
should use ranger spells to buff prior to important or large fights.
One important thing to remember is that if you’re in a group with a
cleric, talk with the cleric about what spells she is preparing. You
should avoid casting spells that the cleric has memorized. For example,
if the cleric has memorized Neutralize Poison, your party will be
better served with you memorizing Remove Disease. You can help the
cleric by using your spells, which usually don't need to be cast very
often, and letting the cleric memorize something else. This works well
with Protection from Energy, a line of second level ranger spells.

First Level Spells

The first level spells for the ranger include the following:

Camouflage

Official Text: "An ally becomes more able to blend in with his or her
surroundings, giving a +10 circumstances bonus to Hide."

Notes: This is a nice spell for rangers who scout for the party or who
multi-class with rogue.

Jump

Official Text: "Gives an ally a +10 enhancement bonus on Jump checks."

Notes: You can help your party by memorizing this one because few
others bother with it.

Longstrider

Official Text: "Increases base run speed +15%."

Notes: Who doesn't like to move faster? You can get good use from this
spell while running errands in town.

Resist Energy

Official Text: "Gives an ally limited protection from...damage [of the
type of energy you pick], reducing...damage taken by 10."

Notes: This may be helpful to your party. Consult any Level 3 or higher
clerics and wizards, as they will have these spells, too.

Tumble

Official Text: "Gives an ally a +10 enhancement bonus on Tumbling."

Notes: Most melee fighters will have enough ranks in Tumble to get by,
but you could cast this on a caster in the party to help that person
out of a bind.

Second Level Spells

The second level spells for the ranger include the following:

Barkskin

Official Text: "Toughens skin of an ally, giving a +2 natural armor
bonus to AC with an additional +1 bonus for every 3 caster levels."

Notes: AC is always nice, and Barkskin stacks with many common bonuses because it is considered a natural bonus. Chances are low that you could get a better effect through items, armor, or
party members' spells (at least until druids come along).

Notes: 14-28 hit points can be a paltry sum at Level 12, but this could
fill
in the gaps with some emergency healing if the cleric goes down or runs
out of spell points.

Neutralize Poison

Official Text: "Detoxifies any sort of venom in an ally, causing him to
suffer no additional effects from the poison. Additionally, it
immunizes the ally from any poison he is exposed to during the duration
of the spell."

Notes: The fact that this spell can be used as a buff makes it more
useful.

Remove
Disease

Official Text: "Cures all diseases on an ally. Does not prevent
reinfection after a new exposure."

Notes: It doesn't give resistance like Neutralize Poison, but it at
least removes those nasty disease effects.

Conclusion

Rangers have a few situational spells that can help the party in some
dungeons. For the most part, ranger spells are just there to make life
a little easier. If your DDO
build for your ranger can afford you WIS 13, these spells are a
nice addition to your repertoire.